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MAIP Summit 2020 Report
How do we lead in an industry that doesn’t always welcome our authentic selves?
How do we talk openly about being unrepresented in the workplace—and the work?
How do we make sure a positive intention always turns into a positive experience?
The conversation at the 2020 MAIP Summit for alumni of the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program tackles some of the real industry issues. Two days of keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, and a high-energy strut ball introduced a full toolbox of guidance on leadership, allyship, and strengthening careers: how to get yourself out of imposter syndrome, how to be a more mindful manager, how to accept the praise—and negotiate the salary—you’re worthy of getting.
Themed “2020 Vision: See the Full Picture,” the MAIP Summit gave us the tools, guidance, strategies, and support we need to keep our vision clear and our strength steady on a journey that doesn’t always run on a smooth road. But an evening at the MAIP Strut Ball, led by ballroom leader Leggoh Labeija and house mother Gillette Oricci, reminds us of the strength you get when you’re confident enough to be yourself. If you own your runway, you can own your pitch, your account, your agency…and the world.
This year’s conference of MAIPers posing fearless questions—not to mention house mothers posing fierce poses—bonds us closer than ever. We’re in great company. And we’re in this fight together.
How do we talk openly about being unrepresented in the workplace—and the work?
How do we make sure a positive intention always turns into a positive experience?
The conversation at the 2020 MAIP Summit for alumni of the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program tackles some of the real industry issues. Two days of keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, and a high-energy strut ball introduced a full toolbox of guidance on leadership, allyship, and strengthening careers: how to get yourself out of imposter syndrome, how to be a more mindful manager, how to accept the praise—and negotiate the salary—you’re worthy of getting.
Themed “2020 Vision: See the Full Picture,” the MAIP Summit gave us the tools, guidance, strategies, and support we need to keep our vision clear and our strength steady on a journey that doesn’t always run on a smooth road. But an evening at the MAIP Strut Ball, led by ballroom leader Leggoh Labeija and house mother Gillette Oricci, reminds us of the strength you get when you’re confident enough to be yourself. If you own your runway, you can own your pitch, your account, your agency…and the world.
This year’s conference of MAIPers posing fearless questions—not to mention house mothers posing fierce poses—bonds us closer than ever. We’re in great company. And we’re in this fight together.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come into a building and been told, ‘Delivery’s on the side.’ If you bring that negative experience into a meeting, you may lose out on the opportunity, so you have to brush that off: ‘I got to this room for a reason. I’m going to deal with this later.’" |
How do you break the superhero mindset of imposter syndrome? Learn to say ‘Well done!’ to yourself. Learn to be comfortable hearing good things about yourself." |
As a man of color in leadership, you have this extra weight on you. Everyone of color is looking at you to show the way, to be the sole voice of their representation in the room." |
Show gratitude. A lot of us going through MAIP, trying to change the world—that can be hard.…Not every manager is used to managing folks like us. Expressing gratitude is a good reset." |
Whether you have an MBA or not, knowing how to manage a business is important. Women tend to think of finances as something that’s very scary, and that’s not the right place to be." |
I’m at a tech-oriented company: You get handed your laptop on the first day, like, ‘Get in there and figure it out.’ When I got there, I saw our programming was focused on genre, mood, moment, and I saw the need for more culturally relevant curation." |
Leaders who can’t access their creative energy are dangerous because they demand creativity, but they’re cut off from their creative flow." |
For four years, I was never home. I was an absent father. And then I read this meme: ‘Do what makes you happy—because if you died today, your job would be posted before your obituary.’ I decided to do two things: be present with my family, and help people who look like me." |
Conscious leaders can find their feeling and process it in 90 seconds or less. It only takes four steps: Breathe. Ask yourself, where is the sensation in your body? Allow, accept, or appreciate the situation—allowing emotions is the opposite of resisting it. And match the experience with expression." |
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The most important thing for an entrepreneur is financial stability. You want to be able to pay your bills and focus in a way that you’re not making bad decisions." |
In Diversity & Inclusion, we constantly have to build a business case for it—why the role needs to exist. It’s tough to do the work while you’re defending the work: creating jobs for others while you’re desperately trying to hold onto your seat." |
Beyond careful planning and alumni participation, MAIP Summit depends on financial support. Find out how to make a tax-deductible charitable 501(c)(3) donation to the 4A’s Foundation today.
All photos courtesy of Margarita Corporan
All photos courtesy of Margarita Corporan
